Owl Attack -Missing large patch of skin (size of quarter) on head. Help.

[cliffoco]

Thank you in advance for everyone's help. I am just not sure what to do as the wound is just so large. Essentially here is what happened:

Chickens out in the backyard when all of the sudden I hear some sort of scream and I find an owl on top of one my hens - I go closer and the owl won't back off, I grab a 2x4 to shove the owl off thinking for sure my hen has passed - to my surprise she ran off and went and pecked at the ground. (the owl then FLEW at my other hen who has this magical hiding skill where even we couldn't find her - she popped out after a few minutes of us freaking out and has no injuries and is doing well)

I checked her for injuries, she has some blood under her wing, likely some sort of puncture - not sure how I can get pressure in there to stop any bleeding.

The bigger issue is the quarter sized missing skin on top of her head - its right after the end of comb - Its hard to wrap as she just shakes and I feel like that makes it worse. I irrigated both wounds with a 3% hydrogen peroxide (just q tipped for top of head) and flushed with water. I put on some polyssporn as I feel like it will help create some sort of barrier but I worry its not enough - its pure bone and I don't see how it can heal as she moves that part of her body so much to eat / drink etc. Shes inside right now in a dark room just to keep movement to a minimum.

Please help - vets are closed until tomorrow morning if that is what is required. I don't have any "blue spray" or anything like that but can get it if that's the best treatment.

Has anyone else had this happen - does the scar tissue eventually form? How long does it take?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can you get a picture of the wound?

There have been many cases where they do recover from injuries like that.

I believe it was @azygous who had a rooster do some serious damage similar to what you describe.

A picture will really help assess the injury.

 

[pennyJo1960]

21 is right many have recovered from worse so sorry this happened please no more hydrogen peroxide it kills good and bad bacteria neosporin is great without pain killer though and photo's are needed please

 

[Eggcessive]

Wounds clear to the skull actually are common in chickens, so she may have a good chance to make it. The puncture wound under her wing might be a place where infection could be a problem. Pressure for several minutes, then using some flour or cornstarch can help stop bleeding. I would get a small bottle of Hibiclens ( chlorhexidene) or betadine (Equate First Aid Antiseptic) at Walmart for about $6 in the first aid aisle, and use as directed on wounds. Vetericyn Wound Spray or a similar one from feed stores are good as well, but expensive. Stop the peroxide since it can prevent wound healing. Keep her separated and away from flies.

 

[cliffoco]

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a few threads about similar scalp wounds with pictures, and how they were treated:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/scalped-chicken-still-alive.1091319/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-scalped-hen-heal-completely-graphic-pics.837421/

 

[pennyJo1960]

Not so bad of wound you where very fortunate there it should heal

 

[21hens-incharge]

Here is some reading about botulism:
https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/233569/botulism-in-chickens-ducks-and-others.pdf

View attachment 1875392

Wrong thread maybe?

 

[OneMountainAcres]

It should heal just fine. I had a pullet get scalped like that a few years ago, except it was down her neck, across her ear and eye. She made a full recovery and was bald for a while. Just keep him separated from everyone else so that nobody will peck at it and keep it moist with either Neosporin (without pain relief) or even Vaseline once it starts healing some. You can spray with blukote after the wound is closed up if you feel ready to integrate him back to the flock.

This was Mira, My miracle scalp survivor. She ended up dying from something completely unrelated a couple months after the last picture but she pulled through the major injuries with flying colors. I did have to give her stitiches (I am NOT in the medical field)

Spoiler: Graphic photos

 

[cliffoco]

Thanks for the support and the help. I picked up some betadine - going to try and locate the puncture under the wing and spray it along with the head.
Edit: found the wound under the wing - very small on the wing muscle /bone.

Going to keep her inside until we get some healing and then by then I hope to have that blue spray which will hopefully let her go out with her buddies. Luckily she’s the dominant hen so no one really bugs her - just don’t like the idea of an open wound in a dusty coop with potential mosquitos etc.